Greens move to ensure local government has say on pokies

• Simon de Little, YouTube: Kim Booth and Greg James discuss amendments to give councils a say on pokies The major parties care more about political donations than the poor of suburbs like the Glenorchy are from whom hundreds of thousands of dollars is leached every day … for the already rich

GREENS MOVE TO ENSURE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS SAY ON POKIES

The Tasmanian Greens today tabled legislation to give local councils a say on whether poker machines should be allowed within their municipality, and if so to enable councils to regulate the number and location.

Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said the ongoing impact of pokies in pubs and clubs upon local communities and small business have a direct impact on municipalities, especially those working to revitalise their business districts, and it is logical that local government has a say on pokies in their jurisdiction.

Mr Booth also said that following a recent pokies reform public forum, out of which a community group called People before Pokies Coalition were launched, the Greens had committed to tabling this amendment legislation.

“Tasmanians lose anywhere between $16 million to $18 million on pokies each month, which has a direct impact on local communities, small businesses and regional economies,” MR Booth said.

“Last year Greens Alderman Helen Burnet, Hobart’s Deputy Mayor, commissioned an independent report by an Adelaide University gambling researcher, Mr Paul Delfabbro, which found that the current ratio of of pokies of 23 to 1000 Hobart residents is unsafe, with it needing to be reduced to 10 pokies per each 1000 adults as the advised level.”

“This highlights why is is absurd to muzzle local councils on whether pokies are appropriate for their community, and to deny them any say in setting location or number limits within their respective municipality.”

“The Greens’ Bill seeks to amend both the Local Government Act 1993, and the Gaming Control Act 1993, to give our Councils a voice, and a choice, on pokies.”

“The changes to the Local Government Act establishes that it is consistent with the functions or powers of a council to consider through planning processes applications for a pokie licence, and defines Council capacity to issue by-laws should they choose to do so.”

“The proposed changes to the Gaming Control Act specify that any applications for pokies in pubs and clubs must be consistent with any relevant local council restrictions that may be in place for the municipality in which the pub of club venue is located.”

“Clearly should the amendment pass, it will be only the first responsible step towards addressing the destructive impact of pokies on our community and local economies. However, it will empower an important tier of government which has been sidelined for far too long in this debate, although councils have to deal with the damage first hand in many cases,” Mr Booth said.

Download the Local Government (Powers to Regulate Electronic Gaming Machines) Amendment Bill 2012, tabled by Kim Booth MP, 21 June 2012:
Jun21_Local_Govt-Pokies_Regulations_Amend_Bill_2012__K_Booth_ATTACH.pdf